Human rights commission hails ISO for improved image

Mar 28, 2011

THE Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has commended the Internal security Organisation (ISO) for its improved record of human rights observance.

By Josephine Maseruka

THE Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has commended the Internal security Organisation (ISO) for its improved record of human rights observance.

The commission secretary, Gordon Mwesigye, yesterday disclosed that in their report of 2010, only one case of human rights violation was recorded against ISO.

He said in the past regimes, ISO was “synonymous with murder, torture, soliciting, and many cruel aspects.”

Mwesigye added: “The fact that we are registering only one case of human rights violation against ISO is an attestation that a fundamental change is here.”

Mwesigye was giving a key note address at a two-day Civic Engagement workshop of district internal security officers and regional internal security officers.

The workshop held at Hotel Africana in Kampala was organised by the commission and attended by over 200 internal security officers from the central region.

It focused on the theme: Human Rights Protection and Promotion — the role of intelligence organs.

Mwesigye said there was a lot of improvement in human rights observance by ISO because the violations recorded have drastically reduced.

“In 2008, the commission recorded seven cases against ISO. In 2009, six cases were recorded while in 2010, only one case was recorded,” he said. He attributed the improvement to sensitisation workshops the commission is holding with security agencies.

“I agree there are times when we are harsh on you (security agencies) but it is inevitable. However, we give credit where it is due,” Mwesigye said.

Asked about their expectations from the workshop, several ISO officials said they wanted to know why the commission usually sides with the offender. “Why doesn’t the commission intervene before a crime is committed?” they asked.

Charles Ndawula, the ISO deputy director for electoral affairs, commended the commission for the engagement, saying it would go a long way in improving ISO’s promotion and protection of human rights.

A youthful officer asked whether human rights were absolute. He asked: “ If you were attacked by aggressors as is the case in Libya , what would you do?”

Mwesigye reminded the officer that some human rights are constitutionally absolute like the right to life, to fair trial and right against torture.

The objective of the workshop was to nurture a culture of respect for human rights among the ISO officers. The commission said it will hold similar workshops in the western and eastern regions.



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